Meaning: Pure; English pet form of Katherine (Greek Aikaterine: pure) or Christopher (Greek: bearer of Christ)High
In 30 seconds: A one-syllable English pet form of Katherine (pure) or Christopher (bearer of Christ). Long used for both boys and girls, Kit now trends as a standalone name — breezy, vintage, and literary.
Kit is an English diminutive of Katherine or Christopher. Both Christopher Marlowe and Kit Carson bore this name as adults, giving it both literary and frontier associations. As a girls' name it is now rising as a standalone vintage choice.
Kit ranked #1240 for girls in 2024.
Did you know? Kit Carson (1809–1868), the legendary American frontiersman and explorer, popularized this as a bold masculine name in the American West. Meanwhile, Kit Marlowe (Christopher Marlowe, 1564–1593) gave it a literary shimmer in Elizabethan England.
Overall data confidence 87%
Behind the Name — Kit — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data
Variations
KatherineChristopher
Nicknames
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Famous Bearers
Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Kit…
Bea— one-syllable vintage British name with the same crisp character
Nell— one-syllable vintage British name in the same revival
Fern— one-syllable nature name with the same literary vintage feel
Rue— one-syllable literary name with the same minimalist quality
